Hawthorne Race Course Faces Closure Amid Bankruptcy Sale

Hawthorne Race Course, located in Stickney, is on the verge of closing following a bankruptcy sale. The track’s only qualified bidder intends to use the site for non-racing purposes. Despite this, track and horse operators are working to keep racing activities going for now.

The racetrack filed for bankruptcy in February, burdened with over $100 million in debts. In a recent development, ALLIMAC 2023 LLC, a Delaware-based company, proposed a $90 million offer to acquire the site’s 119 acres, according to court documents.

The historical significance of Hawthorne is noteworthy. For instance, on July 3, 1924, a horse named Arrowhead won a three-quarter-mile race at the course. The race had a $1,000 purse, with Arrowhead taking first place. Other horses like Top o’ the Morning and Simplicity followed in second and third places, respectively.

The proposed sale is a “stalking horse” bid, setting a minimum price for potential buyers. However, Tuesday’s auction deadline passed without any other qualified offers, rendering ALLIMAC the sole bidder. Bankruptcy Judge Timothy Barnes will need to approve the sale at a hearing set for Monday.

Hawthorne has thoroughbred races planned for every Sunday until November. Although the racetrack declined comment, the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association informed its members of the sale, assuring that all current training and racing activities are unaffected for now. The Association’s President, Chris Block, expressed dismay, stating, “This is a devastating and tragic day for horse racing in northern Illinois.” The horsemen have requested $1,125,000 from a state horse racing purse fund to support ongoing operations.

The bankruptcy was anticipated due to a drop in public interest and betting in horse racing. In 2019, state lawmakers permitted the development of “racinos,” combining race tracks and casinos to inject money into the struggling industry. However, Churchill Downs Inc. ended operations at Arlington International Racecourse in 2021. Despite assurances from Hawthorne President Tim Carey, plans for a racino did not materialize.

Recently, Hawthorne warned the state about potential layoffs affecting up to 290 workers if racing activities cease. Additionally, track officials accused Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II of misallocating funds away from Hawthorne in favor of Fairmount Park Casino & Racing, involving the director’s brother, John Costello. John Costello denied these claims, vowing to contest them in court.

If Hawthorne shuts down, it would close the chapter on horse racing in the Chicago region. Opened in 1891 and owned by the Carey family, Hawthorne is Illinois’ oldest racetrack. Around 300 people, including workers and their families, reside on the racetrack’s grounds, with about 500 horses under their care. If it closes, Fairmount Park in Collinsville, near St. Louis, would become the state’s only parimutuel betting venue. While there are proposals for a new harness racing track in Decatur, legislative support has not materialized.